Why do lyrics matter?

[LEDPIG]

Question...

Why does the average music listener care about lyrics? As a amatuer musicians songwriter people are always asking what the words are, what a name means? I don't get it. I've never been drawn to music for lyrics, only the sounds and pronunciations and melody the sounds of the words create over the backdrop of a song. Why do people care what musicians are saying anyway?

Seem to be quite a few music lovers on here... any ideas?

[Spikes]

I like to know what they are saying instead of "RAHRAHLALAYEYEYERAHRAHRAHDOOD OODOORAHRAHDEDEBEBERORORO"

[DiabloTX]

I've never understood it either but there are some songs where the lyrics make the song.  As I've mentioned before Bob Seger's "Night Moves" and the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy For The Devil" are some of my favorites.

[Xargos]

If I don't like the lyrics, I don't like the song.  Music should be poetry as far as I'm concerned.

I'm normally attracted to songs that have hidden meaning.

[DiabloTX]

That's also why Yes is still my all-tiem favorite rock band.  Jon Anderson has stated that the words he chose for lyrics were aking to a musician picking notes; not so much for the meaning but what they add to the song.  He formed his lyrics for sounds rather than meaning.  I've listened to yes for almost 30 years now and I still can't tell you the lyrics to any song they've done the whole way through.  Well, anything prior to 90215 that is.

[Blooz]

The lyrics typically tell a story and the music is what sets the mood.

[DmonSlyr]

if its rap the lyrics matter. if its heavy metal the voice almost acks as an instrument. in rock it depends. but im more of an instumentalist guy. i could listen to a 10 min song with no lyrics all day if the bands good.

but in rap, rap is more of poetry so if it doesnt make since then the song generally sucks.

[snowey]

i dont care about lyrics

[AKIron]

I recently picked up Rock Band for my PS3. I wasn't familiar with most of the songs but we have still had a lot of fun with this. Based on the lyrics in most of the included songs, I have to agree, lyrics don't seem to matter.

[SD67]

I agree with Blooz, for me it's all about how well the lyrics and the music fit.
I've heard songs that have great lyrical content that are let down by the music, and excellent musical compositions that would have been better left as instrumentals.

[Xargos]

Iron Maiden is a good example of a band who's lyrics have obvious meaning. While Bob Dylan is a good example of hidden meaning.

[Latrobe]

The lyrics make the song. Listen to a song where the singer just screams as loud as he/she can then listen to a song where they actually sing the words. I don't know about you but I can't stand songs where all you here is "YARRAGRERGRYAAAA!!".

I agree with Xargos. The lyrics should be poetic-like, but not all types of music should be. Some actually tell a story (Country is one that comes to mind even though I don't like it  ).

That's why I like Nightwish alot. They play Rock/Metal, but the lyrics are poetic.

The lyrics might be interesting too. I especially love the way "Primo Victoria" by Sabaton starts
"Through the gates of hell
As we make our way to heaven
Through the Nazi lines
Primo victoria"


It really depends on what kind of person you are and what kind of music you like that the lyrics really matter.

[lasersailor184]

I don't care that much about lyrics, but I do appreciate how difficult they are to write and sing.

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

His music moves me, and most are without lyrics.
And its free, if you like music and want something new, check it out.

http://www.fanaticalproductions.net

[C(Sea)Bass]

Iron Maiden is a good example of a band who's lyrics have obvious meaning. While Bob Dylan is a good example of hidden meaning.

And Beck is a good example of words people say when they are wacked out on drugs.
from Loser:
"In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey
butane in my veins and I'm out to cut the junkie
with the plastic eyeballs, spray-paint the vegetables
dog food stalls with the beefcake pantyhose
kill the headlights and put it in neutral
stock car flamin' with a loser and the cruise control
baby's in Reno with the vitamin D
got a couple of couches, sleep on the love-seat
someone came in sayin' I'm insane to complain
about a shotgun wedding and a stain on my shirt
don't believe everything that you breathe
you get a parking violation and a maggot on your sleeve
so shave your face with some mace in the dark
savin' all your food stamps and burnin' down the trailer park"

makes no sense at all but is still a great song